Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cardiology fellows academic training: beyond the clinical impact

Yván R. Persia-Paulino, Heart Area, Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
Isaac Pascual, Departamento de Cardiología, Área del Corazón, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo; Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo; España
Rodrigo Fernández-Asensio, Department of Heart Area, Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Javier Cuevas-Pérez, Department of Heart Area, Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Antonio Adeba, Departamento de Cardiología, Área del Corazón, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo España
María Martín, Departamento de Cardiología, Área del Corazón, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, España
Laura García-Pérez, Heart Area, Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
Pablo Avanzas, Departamento de Cardiología, Área del Corazón, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo; Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo; España
María Reyes-Cortina, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Hospital San Agustín, Avilés, Asturias, España
César Moris, Departamento de Cardiología, Área del Corazón, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo; Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo; España
José Rozado, Departamento de Cardiología, Área del Corazón, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, España

Objective: The objectives were to analyze the perception of the Cardiology Fellows in Training (FIT) of Spain about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their academic training and to know the adaptative changes performed by their department. Methods: A cross-sectional study performed through a digital survey platform for Cardiology FIT. Chi2 analysis and logistic regression were performed to determine the factors that influenced on the perception of an affected training. Results: A total of 180 FIT from the 17 regions of Spain participated. Third year FIT and those rotating in cardiac imaging were the most affected with statistically significant difference. The residents of the regions with a prevalence of >5 cases/1,000 inhabitants were the most likely to be displaced from their departments. Conclusions: According to the opinion of the participants, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their academic training was more negative in third year FITs and those rotating in cardiac imaging.

Keywords: Pandemic. COVID-19. Coronavirus. SARS-CoV-2. Fellowship. Academic training. Administration and organization.